Share this Article

Related Posts

KARACHI: The 3rd executive committee meeting (ordinary) and extraordinary general body meetings of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) were held simultaneously at the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi, Capital Office in Islamabad and Regional Office in Lahore via video conferencing under the Chairmanship of FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam.

All office bearers and members of executive committee and general body across the country participated in the said meeting. During the meetings, various economic issues were discussed, particularly the budget proposals of FPCCI on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and measures for the promotion of halal sector in Pakistan.

The house discussed at length the budget proposals of FPCCI for the forthcoming budget for the year 2016-17, which was complied on the basis of recommendation received from its member trade bodies across Pakistan i.e. all chambers and trade associations. The house demanded that the proposals of FPCCI should be given due consideration by the government for incorporation in the forthcoming budget.

While discussing the issues of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the house was informed that CPEC would bring economic revolution in Pakistan.

The FPCCI president said that in various meetings with concerned quarters, he urged that the government should first protect the interest of local industry on CPEC project. The house demanded that transparency, clarity and synchronisation on CPEC must be maintained to avoid controversial issues and develop national consensus on CPEC.

The house was informed that FPCCI would organise a national level seminar on CPEC in collaboration with the Planning Commission of Pakistan for creating awareness about its importance where the business community would be invited to participate.

While discussing the export potential of halal food in Pakistan, the FPCCI president informed the house that out of the size of global halal market of $2.8 trillion, Pakistan share is only 0.5% despite of the fact that Pakistan being a Muslim country have a wide capacity of halal food and products.

Rauf Alam emphasised that halal industry is a fast emerging global business, attracting 2 billion people, both Muslims and non-Muslims. He said that Pakistan has a great potential to get a big share in the global halal market. “We are completely halal production-based country and we have direct access to consumers in Central Asia, Middle East and Europe,” he added.

He informed that FPCCI would soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Punjab Halal Food Agency for the promotion of halal sector.

While discussing the bilateral trade and economic relations with Iran in the wake of lifting of sanctions, he informed that FPCCI would also play an instrumental role to boost our trade relations with Iran, adding that an MOU had already been signed with our Iranian counterpart during the recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan for establishing Pak – Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce and in the follow up of the said MOU, the FPCCI president would take a trade delegation to Iran soon to further explore and avail the bilateral trade opportunities between both the brotherly countries.

The FPCCI president further said that the construction work of FPCCI Islamabad Building has been restarted and expressed hope that FPCCI’s Capital Office would be shifted from rented premises to its own building by the end of the current year. Besides other matters, the house also approved the annual accounts for the year 2015.